Thursday, 14 February 2013

Recently I have decided to take a more observational life like approach to the characters and trying to stay in keeping with the traditional character charm. Taking inspiration from the E.H.Shepard illustrations. From these drawings, I intend to etch the design for the cover because I want to get the fine detail into my design.

I then tried to incorporate a concept of the Willow Tree's roots signifying strength in friendship. So subsequently I created a Lino print of the four characters emerging from the roots of the Willow. This idea wasn't very clear and lacked in appeal for children. I then experimented with creating a patten from the design, much like the original E.H.Shepard cover.

These are my original ideas for the Wind in the Willows book cover. Overall I think the pencil drawings look and feel more earthy, which is what I'm after in my design. Although the coloured image would appeal to a young audience, the book has a larger age range and needs to appeal both to children and adults alike.

I have finally found my images of my final major project last year! This is my degree show from last year which went really well, I've even had offers for buying the book and inquiries about making more bean bags!

In the meantime, have been working on my first illustration job with local author Mick Piper. Mick has written a lovely children's book titled 'Freddie's Woods', of which I am the illustrator. The book should be in bookstores across the country, including Waterstones, by March 2013. Very excited to see my name on the shelves!

Monday, 22 October 2012

For this summer project, each time I stopped at a 30 sign, I drew a part of the photograph with an implement that I found in my immediate surroundings. I started off timing each session for 2 minutes, but I then reduced this to 1 minute as I was drawing the image too quickly, and I had 26 thirty signs to get through.

I have a recording of the experience but as a result of having 28 minutes worth of film for this project, I have saved the movie onto a disk, as it is too larger file to upload to my blog.

This project I feel has fed into my interest in working with found objects and unusual implements. I feel it has inspired me to work with fabricated objects as opposed to the natural forms found in the countryside.

These are some of the marks that I made using the tools by dipping them into ink. I now intend on drawing the robots using the tools to see if I get a scratchy, jagged effect. I really like the way the pencil wood has absorbed and softened the ink. I also like the way the teeth of the saw blade have created even linear marks.